The 2011 Mexican 1000 Poker Run will be raising money for these worthy causes:

GODSPEED

Godspeed: An expression that is listed as archaic in many dictionaries. Although it has been forgotten in the midst of our time, the origin of its meaning is to wish someone well who is about to go on a long and daring journey. This is the story of one such journey.

At 22 years old, Page Jones, son of legendary Indianapolis 500 Winner Parnelli Jones and a rising racing star, suffered a severe brain injury during a Sprint Car race. His prognosis was grim. His parents were warned that if he made it through the night, he would be permanently disabled, wheelchair bound and the Page they knew was likely to be lost forever.

GOODSPEED is an inspirational story about Page’s legacy as a young racing star, the tragedy of his accident, immediate aftermath and the unrelenting support of his family, friends and the racing community.

Using historic family footage of Page’s recovery, together with personal and expert medical interviews, GOODSPEED will demonstrate the importance of long-term rehabilitative therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury (T.B.I.) patients like Page. GOODSPEED will examine the critical role that long-term rehabilitation has had in Page’s ability to recreate a fulfilling, productive and joyous life with his wife, Jamie, and their two children.

GOODSPEED is about dreams adjusted, simple joys celebrated, and the realization that life is about the moments and we must appreciate today. Page’s life offers hope for those who struggle with Traumatic Brain Injury, their families and friends, helping them understand that they are not alone on this long journey home.

Our Mission is to assist, honor, and support the military men and women/ service members/personnel who have so bravely served and sacrificed for our country. We further vow to help the seriously injured who are assigned to Naval Regional Medical Center, Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, 29 Palms and Fort Irwin as well as those who are going through rehabilitation in the San Diego area. For more information visit: www.warriorfoundation.com

Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame

The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame was established in 1978 to recognize and honor those individuals and organizations whose lifelong contributions to off-road motorsports have set a standard for others to follow. Housed in Gallery Four of the National Automobile Museum, (The Harrah Collection) in Reno, Nevada since 2003, ORMHOF is visited by over 175,000 ticket buying automotive enthusiasts each year. ORMHOF is funded by donations from individuals, families, and fund raising activities. For more information visit www.ormhof.com

Racers and Ranchers

Racers and Ranchers is a volunteer membership organization dedicated to preserving Baja's Off-Road Legacy. Most of Baja's terrain is owned by private citizens or co-ops known as ejido's. Through efforts of goodwill R&R works with Baja's landowners to preserve access for the future. R&R carefully targets these sensitive areas and works on behalf of the off-road community to secure a solid relationship for future access. Annual membership and donations fund R&R efforts. Examples of goodwill are courtesy road grading projects where off-road use has had a negative impact, repair of damaged gates and fence line due to off-roaders, courtesy sign posting project, clean up of high use area's and building projects. For more information visit www.racersandranchers.com

Team Courage Racing

Team Courage is an off road race team devoted to racing to make a difference against breast cancer. Team Courage Racing has simple goals. We want to bring awareness to the challenges women face as breast cancer survivors and previvors, give support to women going through mastectomy and reconstruction, and most importantly encourage women going through these challenges to not give up on their spirit and zest for life. Two of our drivers are previvors, choosing to have mastectomies instead of risking cancer.

Breast cancer will impact 1 out of 8 women. Not all of those women will have mastectomies, however many women at risk of breast cancer but not yet diagnosed will chose to have preventative mastectomies to save their lives, known as ‘previvors’. Team Courage is here to help survivors and previvors remember their courage and passion and spirit during a time when they lose so much.

Team Courage will be racing in 2011, raising money for other breast cancer charities by taking pledges for each event they participate in.
Visit www.teamcourageracing.com for more information.

Thundering Trails

Thundering Trails off-road camp provides desert camping adventures for inner city kids in 4th-6th grade from disadvantaged backgrounds. The children who come to camp have one or both parents in prison, parents in rehab, some struggling with homelessness and some from low income single parent families. The kids do not pay for this weekend camping experience. It is provided through generous tax-deductible donations from off-road enthusiasts and off-road businesses. While at camp the kids ride mini bikes, hike, play games, go on a treasure hunt, have chapel service and campfire time. The camp was founded in the fall of 2006 by Steve and Sherri Kukla, of S&S Publishing, Inc. publishers of S&S Off-Road Magazine and is operated on their 50 acre off road ranch in Ocotillo Wells, California. For more information visit www.thunderingtrailsoffroadcamp.org

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Jimena to the Baja Peninsula in September 2009, NORRA decided to postpone the 2009 Mexican 1000 Rally and called upon the Off-Road industry to help bring relief to our neighbors to the south. The Baja Bush Pilots had already quickly established a network of volunteer pilots and drop off points and had started delivering much needed supplies by air.

Michael Pearlman, president of NORRA made a quick trip down the peninsula, delivering food items to Santa Rosalia. A following trip to deliver thousands of pounds of water and Gatorade that could not easily be delivered via plane, was made by NORRA staff member Robert Clark and volunteer Brent Smith. They traveled as far as Mulege, meeting with the Mexican Red Cross and dropping off goods to the areas in need. Rob Clark and Racer Rafael Grijalva returned again by ground with the help of a very generous financial donation made by team RPM, delivering enough building materials for 10 living structures to some of the most devastated areas.

In October, Advanstar invited NORRA to be part of the Pomona Off Road expo where 13 Mexican 1000 entries generously donated their time and vehicles for a display at the “Rally for Relief” booth where clothing, food, and monetary donations were collected to support Baja. Lost Boys racing graciously donated their entry fees. Racer Kevin Carr donated his truck, time, and warehouse space. Many members of the off-road community came out to show their support for the cause.

With the help of the off road community and partnerships with other charity organizations NORRA plans to continue working to provide relief where it is needed. Stay tuned for upcoming charity drives and events.

Appreciation

We would like to extend our special appreciation to all who contributed to the relief effort. We would like to specially thank Gary Dixon and Jeff McCullough who generously donated their NORRA entry fee to the relief effort. Thanks to Kevin Carr for donating warehouse space